The idea of becoming a lawyer has always carried a certain prestige. Maybe you’re drawn to the courtroom drama you’ve seen on TV, the allure of advocating for justice, or simply the prospect of a high salary at a corporate firm. At a certain point, you might start to wonder, “Should I go to law school?” But as they’ll teach you in first year contracts: caveat emptor. (In English: “Buyer beware!”)
The law school decision is not to be taken lightly. It’s three years of your time, hard work, and hard-earned money. Here are some considerations you’ll want to keep in mind before taking the law school plunge.
How To Decide if I Should Go to Law School
Why Do I Want to Go to Law School?
Make sure you ask yourself this question. And be honest! Are you passionate about the law and social justice? Do you view the legal profession as a sensible, secure path that utilizes your skill set? Do you just want to make bank while looking out your 57th-floor office window in a Manhattan high-rise?
I’m not here to judge your reasons, but they need to be your reasons.
Some people are drawn to the law because they’re genuinely excited about solving legal problems, advocating for clients, or influencing policy. Others may be less certain and view law school as a “safe” choice when they’re unsure about life plans.
If you’re in this latter camp, not a problem; you’re not the first! But the more you can research and explore your budding legal interests, the better. If you’re still on campus (or even if you’re not), ask your local law school dean’s office if you can sit in on a 1L class. If you know any lawyers among friends and family, talk to them. Ask them about their daily routines and what they like and dislike about their work.
And if you’re a college student looking for a summer internship, see if you can get an administrative gig at one of the firms in your hometown. It may be mostly grunt work, but you’ll learn a lot about the legal environment by simply being there day in and day out. Such firsthand insights can be invaluable in helping you determine if a legal career makes sense for you and if you should go to law school.
The Financial Investment
We all know law school isn’t cheap. The cost of attendance can exceed $200,000, not to mention whatever undergraduate debt you might already have. So ask yourself: How am I going to pay for this?
First, are you eligible for a scholarship? If you can target a law school whose published LSAT median is below your LSAT score, you’ve got a good shot. Law schools will compete for admitted students, especially standout candidates. Even a partial scholarship can wipe away several years of student loan payments.
Further Reading
💰 7 Law School Scholarships You Need to Apply For
Second, what area of practice do you plan to enter upon graduation? You may not know the exact answer. Think in broad strokes.
Do you see yourself as a big city corporate lawyer making six figures a year? If so, research whether your law school(s) of choice have success in sending graduates to those jobs in those places. Maybe you’d rather be a public defender or work in a legal clinic. If so, the money will be less. However, many law schools have what are called Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAPs), which help with loan payments for public interest lawyers until the loans are forgiven by Uncle Sam after ten years.
Finally, do some back-of-the-envelope math. I know, “math,” every future attorney’s least favorite four-letter word. Where do you want to live after graduation? How much does that legal market pay, on average, in your desired field? What’s the monthly cost of living? And, most importantly, what would be your estimated monthly student loan payment?
Look, law school may be expensive. Student loan repayments can be a pain. But if you have a well-researched, realistic, and actionable career plan, this can work out profitably for you.
Loving the Work
Are you going to law school because you “love to argue”? If so, I think that’s great. If you work in commercial litigation, criminal law, or appeals, you’ll get to do a lot of arguing.
But when you’re a lawyer, oral argument is the culmination of a lot of other types of work. You’ll usually need to first write the thing you’re going to argue. That means a long process of legal research, reading, and writing. Then a few emails, a couple meetings with co-counsel, more legal research, and more writing. Then, finally, proofreading, editing and cite-checking, compiling exhibits, and the mad dash to file with the court by the 5:00 p.m. deadline.
This does not begin to cover the sometimes arduous process of discovery, phone calls with opposing counsel, client interviews, and depositions.
Still here? Good. Because it can be very, very rewarding in those moments when you find a key case, click “Submit” on an appellate brief filing, or win a pretrial motion for your client.
If you enjoy reading and writing, conducting research, and synthesizing information, law school could be a good fit for you. If you enjoy the human dimension of this kind of problem-solving and admire the prospect of being in a service profession, you’re in the right place.
And, if not, find your niche! Maybe it’s administrative law working for the government. Maybe it’s tax law. Maybe it’s entertainment law or working for startups. It just helps if you find your thing before enrolling in law school and signing those student loan documents.
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The Long Haul
If you’re game for law school, just know it’s a long-term commitment. Once you’ve completed your Juris Doctor (JD), you’ll need to pass the bar exam to practice law in your state (unless you went to law school in Wisconsin!).
From there, it’s going to be a bit of a grind to climb your way up the career ladder. Much like a newly minted resident physician who works long shifts at the hospital, expect to spend a lot of hours in the office those initial few years. It’s not all bad! There’s a type of camaraderie that forms among young associates burning the midnight oil on a big case.
As with any major life decision, before deciding if you should go to law school, reflect on your long-term goals. Yes, there are a lot of hoops to jump through, and yes, it will be a lot of hard work. But in five, ten, or twenty years, you will have gained the satisfaction of having established yourself in your field of choice, as well as all the attendant benefits (financial or otherwise) that come with expertise.
Final Thoughts
The J.D. decision is a deeply personal one. While law school can be an incredible opportunity and open huge doors in life and career, it’s not the right path for everyone. Like any big decision, the key is to assess your motivations, explore your more specific interests, do your homework, and make an informed decision that aligns best with your personal and professional goals.
By doing this legwork, you’ll be better equipped to decide if law school is ultimately right for you. And if you do decide to go for it, the journey will be all the more rewarding. Because it’s a path you’ve chosen intentionally.
So, let’s say that you’ve finally decided you do want to go to law school. You’ll need to take the LSAT first! Blueprint LSAT courses help our students boost their LSAT scores by 15 points on average. Our courses are taught and designed by real LSAT experts with years of teaching experience. Whether you want the flexibility of a Self-Paced Course, prefer to navigate the LSAT with instructors in a Live Course or 170+ Course, or even private LSAT tutoring, we have the study method that fits your learning style.
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